Ghanavyūha Sūtra

The sutra recounts a discourse between Śākyamuni Buddha and a bodhisattva named Vajra-garbha (whose name is a synonym for the Tathāgatagarbha) which takes place in the supreme buddhafield called Ghanavyūha (Dense Array or Secret Adornment).^[3] The themes of this discourse are similar to the themes found in the Laṅkāvatāra sūtra, and include: the Yogācāra three natures doctrine, the tathāgatagarbha (also called nirvāṇadhātu or dharmadhātu in this sutra), the ālayavijñāna (storehouse consciousness), and the eternal nature of the Buddha.^[3] Just like the Laṅkāvatāra sūtra, the Ghanavyūha sutra presents teachings on the emptiness of all phenomena and also on how all phenomena arise from mind.

According to the Ghanavyūha, the Tathagata (i.e. the Buddha, equated with nirvāṇadhātu and dharmadhātu) is unchanging, unable to be destroyed or extinguished, and is comparable to space (ākāśa). The Ghanavyūha states that the Buddha is all pervasive and compares the Buddha's omnipresence to the moon's reflection which pervades all bodies of water.^[4] The Ghanavyūha also rejects the view that nirvāṇa is a kind of annihilation or destruction (like a lamp which goes out), since buddha-nature is that which is unborn and undying.^[5]

The Ghanavyūha says that Buddha's presence is always guiding sentient beings according to their needs through numerous skillful means (upaya).^[4] The skillful means of the Buddhas include numerous magical transformations (nirmanas). He may appear as a normal being in the world, as a deva, as Vajrapani, or as Mahesvara.^[6] The Buddha is compared to a gem which reflects many kinds of images and he is also compared to a sea captain who drives a ship.^[7] The numerous transformations of the Buddha include all worlds, which are said to be contained in the Buddha's body.^[7] According to the Ghanavyūha, the Buddhas also teach numerous scriptures as skillful means, including non-Buddhist scriptures like the Arthaśāstra and the three Vedas.^[8]

Like the Laṅkāvatāra sūtra, the Ghanavyūha associates the doctrines of the storehouse consciousness and the tathāgatagarbha. It states that the storehouse consciousness has two aspects, a pure consciousness and a defiled consciousness. The pure part of the storehouse consciousness, the naturally luminous mind, is said to be a synonym for the tathāgatagarbha which is "luminous and always pure", while the defiled consciousness is what hides or conceals the pure aspect.^[3]

The Ghanavyūha uses the simile of the gold covered by rocks to explain this relationship:

O king, the mind is inconceivable, always being naturally luminous. It is the tathāgatagarbha, which abides like gold in rocks.^[3]

The sutra also states that even though the storehouse consciousness has a pure aspect, this is not seen until the consciousness is purified through samādhi. This is compared to how gold does not shine inside gold ore until it is cleansed of the surrounding rock.^[3] Another simile compares the pure consciousness to butter, which only appears when the milk is churned.^[3]

The Ghanavyūha also compares the tathāgatagarbha with the moon, which seems to wane and to arise from the perspective of ignorant beings, but the moon itself does not truly arise or wane.^[3] The sutra also equates the tathāgatagarbha with the perfected nature (one of Yogācāra "three natures").^[3]

According to the Ghanavyūha, the storehouse consciousness which abides in the body of sentient beings, is the cause of both the defiled things of samsara and of all pure phenomena, like the meditations of noble beings and the buddhafields.^[3] Likewise, it is because of the pure stainless storehouse consciousness that bodhisattvas will become Buddhas.^[3]

Also like the Laṅkāvatāra, the Ghanavyūha states that the realization of the Buddha transcends all language and is free of all discriminating thought.^[7]

The sutra also discusses the nature of Ghanavyūha, the supreme buddhafield. It states that through following virtuous teachers, hearing and contemplating the Dharma, and letting go of all concepts and cravings, one can be reborn there, achieve enlightenment, and manifest in countless ways to help all beings.^[6]